HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0104.001 1996-1998 Ronald Overmann, Ph.D. RR2Box4743
James V. Setta, JD KehenaBeach,H196778
808-965-0239 ca
(7 ~
C? ~
27 January, ] 997 ~ ~ w ~
o ( ~
The Honorable James Arakaki -Chairman ~ ~ I i
s=
& Members of the County Council ~ `
25 Aupuni St. `D" cn
Hilo,HI 96720
Dear Chairman Arakaki and Members of the Council:
We are writing in support of Mayor Yamashiro's nomination of Virginia Goldstein to
continue in her post as Director of the Planning Department in the County of Hawaii.
We do so based primarily on our experiences going to her for advice, information and
guidance in our efforts to allow HELCO to bring electricity to our subdivisions in lower
Puna.
We are active participants in "H.O.P.E." -Home Owners Preferring Electrification - in
the subdivisions of Kehena Beach, Puna Palisades and Seaview. We have been
confronted with obstinate opponents of choice in electrical sources, especially the
Friends of the Red Road (FORR). FORR won its suit blocking HELCO temporarily from
bringing electricity to our area because of the failure of the Deputy Director of the
Department of Public Works from carrying out his responsibilities in the review of the
Environmental Assessment which HELCO had submitted.
Based on our interactions with Ms. Goldstein, such a failure to carry out her
responsibilities would never happen under Ms. Goldstein's direction. She is
demonstrably a responsible, intelligent, fair, and knowledgeable civil servant. She knows
her job, she knows what needs to be done to carry it out, and she informs citizens who
make inquiries of her how things must be done. This is obvious to all, whether you
ultimately agree with her or not. Further, she has been courageous in advancing
innovative ideas to move forward the development of the County in a rationale manner.
These efforts entail presenting to the Planning commission and the County Council
reasoned approaches to the problems confronting our Island.
r,:,n~~, nt~. j pal. O 1
Presented-~G
F_ef. t?xte 3 0 1997
Given these qualities, we support her nomination wholeheartedly. We would be happy to
amplify these points further in writing or personally as you see fit.
Thank you for your consideration.
~ rely r`
l
R d J. Overmann Ja s V. Setta